Can I Ship a Salvage Title Car to Togo?

When I first bought a 2010 Honda Civic from a U.S. auction, I knew it had a salvage title. To be honest, I didn’t fully understand what that meant at the time. The car looked solid, ran fine, and the price was almost too good to pass up. My plan was to ship it to Togo, thinking, “Well, it’s just paperwork—how different could shipping a salvage title car be?”

Fast forward a few weeks, and I quickly realized it wasn’t as simple as I’d hoped. Salvage title cars come with layers of complexity that can trip up even experienced importers. If you’re thinking of shipping a salvage vehicle to Togo, here’s what you need to know—from paperwork hurdles to practical realities.

Understanding Salvage Titles

First, a quick refresher. A salvage title is issued when a car has been significantly damaged, usually in an accident, flood, or fire, and the insurance company declares it a total loss. In most cases, these cars are repaired and resold at a discount.

A salvage title signals to buyers and import authorities that the car has had serious damage in its past. In some ways, it’s like a warning flag. While the car may look fine on the outside, there’s an underlying history that can affect shipping, customs clearance, and eventual registration.

Legal Considerations in Togo

Togo, like many West African countries, has specific import rules for vehicles. Officially, the country imposes regulations to ensure cars meet safety standards and roadworthiness. For salvage title cars, this can create complications:

Import restrictions: Salvage cars are not outright banned in Togo, but they may be subject to more scrutiny during customs inspections. Authorities may require proof that the car is roadworthy after repairs.

Paperwork verification: The salvage title must be disclosed, and accompanying repair documents are often requested. Missing or incomplete documents can result in your car being denied clearance.

Insurance implications: Some insurers in Togo might refuse to cover salvage vehicles, which could affect both transit insurance and local insurance after registration.

From personal experience, I found that customs agents tend to focus heavily on documentation. Even minor inconsistencies between the U.S. title and shipping invoices can cause delays.

Choosing the Right Shipping Method

Salvage title cars can be shipped via container or roll-on/roll-off (RoRo). Both have pros and cons:

Container shipping: This is generally safer for salvage cars because your vehicle is protected inside a sealed container. It reduces the risk of handling damage at the port. However, it’s more expensive than RoRo. I opted for container shipping, and it added about 20% to my shipping costs, but I felt it was worth the peace of mind.

RoRo shipping: Your car is driven onto the vessel, secured on the deck, and transported like other vehicles. While cheaper, RoRo exposes your car to more handling, saltwater, and potential scratches—riskier if your car has pre-existing damage.

For salvage vehicles, container shipping is usually the safer bet, especially if you’re shipping a high-value car or one with delicate repairs.

Preparing Your Salvage Car for Shipping

Before your car even leaves the U.S., you need to make sure it’s ready for the journey:

Disclose the salvage status: Always be upfront with your shipping company. Failing to disclose a salvage title can cause legal issues or even denial of shipment.

Repair and document: Keep receipts, invoices, and photographs of all repairs. Togo customs may request proof that the car is roadworthy.

Check for hazardous materials: Salvage cars sometimes retain damaged batteries or fluids. Shipping companies will often require these be removed or stabilized.

When I prepared my Civic, I spent a weekend documenting everything. I took high-resolution photos of the repaired areas, listed all replaced parts, and kept repair invoices in a folder. This little bit of preparation made a big difference at the port.

Dealing with Customs in Togo

One of the biggest challenges is clearing customs. Salvage cars often receive extra scrutiny because officers want to ensure the car isn’t unsafe or undervalued to reduce import duty. Here’s what I encountered:

Documentation review: My container arrived, and customs officers carefully checked the salvage title, repair invoices, and the Bill of Lading. They even asked for a short report from the U.S. repair shop verifying the car’s condition.

Potential delays: Salvage vehicles can sit longer at the port if paperwork isn’t complete. In my case, it added about five days to the timeline. Not huge, but enough to affect planning.

Valuation adjustments: Sometimes, customs may revalue the car based on its post-repair condition. This can affect import duties and taxes. Be prepared for potential surprises in fees.

Overall, patience is critical. Salvage vehicles often require a more hands-on approach with customs than regular cars.

Insurance Considerations

Shipping a salvage title car also raises questions about insurance. Many shipping companies will insure vehicles in transit, but coverage for salvage cars can be more limited. Some policies exclude pre-existing damage or may refuse claims for minor cosmetic issues.

I purchased additional shipping insurance for my Civic, making sure the policy explicitly covered salvage vehicles and pre-existing damage. It cost a bit more, but when the container docked, and a minor scuff was discovered, I was glad I had coverage.

Pros and Cons of Shipping Salvage Cars to Togo

It’s worth looking at both sides before deciding:

Pros:

Lower purchase price: Salvage cars are significantly cheaper, which can make importing more economical.

Potential profit: Reselling repaired salvage cars can yield a margin if done carefully.

Availability: Sometimes, vehicles that are in demand in Togo are only available as salvage in the U.S.

Cons:

Extra scrutiny at customs: Salvage titles require more documentation and patience.

Insurance limitations: Transit and local insurance can be harder or more expensive to obtain.

Risk of hidden damage: Even repaired cars may have underlying issues that are not obvious at purchase.

When I shipped my Civic, the savings were substantial, but I also learned that budgeting for insurance, customs fees, and potential repairs was critical. Without planning for these, you could end up paying almost as much as a fully clean-titled car.

Practical Tips for Importers

From my experience, here’s how to make shipping a salvage vehicle to Togo smoother:

Use a trusted shipping company: Choose one with experience in West African ports, especially Lomé. They’re familiar with salvage documentation requirements.

Keep all repair records: Photos, invoices, and inspection reports are your friend. Customs officers will want to see them.

Consider container shipping: It’s safer and reduces handling risks.

Budget for extra fees: Salvage cars often incur additional charges at customs and during transit.

Verify local regulations: Togo’s import rules can change; double-check whether salvage vehicles are accepted and what inspections may be required.

My Personal Lesson

I’ll admit, shipping a salvage car is not for the faint of heart. It requires extra attention, more paperwork, and sometimes a longer wait at the port. But if you’re prepared, it can be a cost-effective way to bring a vehicle into Togo.

My Honda Civic arrived in good condition, with minor scuffs that were easy to fix. The whole process took about six weeks from purchase to driveway delivery in Lomé. Would I do it again? Absolutely—but only with the right shipping company, proper documentation, and insurance in place.

Final Thoughts

So, can you ship a salvage title car to Togo? The short answer is yes—but it comes with caveats. Salvage vehicles are not banned, but they do require transparency, thorough documentation, and patience at customs. Shipping insurance and careful preparation are highly recommended to avoid headaches and unexpected costs.

If you’re a first-time importer, treat a salvage title car like a project: plan ahead, budget wisely, and expect a few surprises along the way. With the right approach, you can enjoy the benefits of lower purchase prices without letting the complexities derail your shipment.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

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